U.S. patent application number 10/772262 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-19 for information processing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Agata, Kenichi, Ando, Tetsuji, Miyashita, Hisaya, Otake, Naohiko, Sakemoto, Mikio, Tamai, Hiroki.
Application Number | 20040160413 10/772262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32844396 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040160413 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tamai, Hiroki ; et
al. |
August 19, 2004 |
Information processing apparatus
Abstract
An information processing apparatus includes a display, a
pointing device for moving a pointer appearing on the display in a
desired direction, and a plurality of cursor keys for moving a
cursor appearing on the display in predetermined directions, the
cursor keys being arranged near the pointing device.
Inventors: |
Tamai, Hiroki; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Sakemoto, Mikio; (Saitama, JP) ; Ando,
Tetsuji; (Nagano, JP) ; Agata, Kenichi;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Miyashita, Hisaya; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Otake, Naohiko; (Chiba, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
32844396 |
Appl. No.: |
10/772262 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1616 20130101;
G06F 1/169 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/156 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 13, 2003 |
JP |
2003-035344 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display; a
pointing device for moving a pointer appearing on the display in a
desired direction; and a plurality of cursor keys for moving a
cursor appearing on the display in predetermined directions, the
cursor keys being arranged near the pointing device.
2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the cursor keys are arranged along the periphery of the
pointing device such that the pointing device is at the center of
the cursor keys.
3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: a display unit having a display housing on
which the display is provided; a main unit provided with a keyboard
having a plurality of operation keys; and a hinge unit which
connects the display unit and the main unit such that the display
unit can pivot to open and close the keyboard, wherein the hinge
unit includes a hinge barrel and hinge pins disposed in the hinge
barrel, and wherein the pointing device and the cursor keys are
positioned near one end of the information processing apparatus
along the axis of the hinge pins in an area between the display
unit and the keyboard.
4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising a confirmation button for confirming a selected
or input item, the confirmation button being positioned near the
pointing device or the cursor keys.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to information processing
apparatuses, and more specifically relates to a technical field of
improving the user-friendliness in the operation of an information
processing apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Information processing apparatuses such as personal
computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) which include a
display and a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys (for
example, a key for switching between uppercase and lowercase
characters, keys for inputting characters, etc.) are known in the
art. In such an information processing apparatus, a cursor which
indicates the position where a character input through the keyboard
is typed is shown on the display and cursor keys are provided for
moving the cursor one character or one line at a time.
[0005] In addition, the information processing apparatus shows
visual operation objects, for example, visual buttons at desired
positions on the display. A pointer for selecting an object to be
operated from among the operation objects is also shown on the
display, and a pointing device is provided for moving the pointer
in a desired direction.
[0006] For example, a stick device having a stick-shaped projection
with which the pointer is moved in a desired direction by applying
a force with a finger, a pad device called an operation pad with
which the pointer is moved in a desired direction by sliding a
finger along the surface of the pad device, a left button which is
operated for executing a function corresponding to an item selected
from a menu or the like by the pointer, and a right button which is
operated for displaying a sub menu (pop-up menu) at the position of
the cursor are known as the pointing device.
[0007] In some information processing apparatuses, the pointing
device is placed at the back right corner of a housing on which the
keyboard is provided (refer to, for example, Page 3 and FIG. 1 of
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
11-175236).
[0008] However, in the above-described known image forming
apparatuses, the cursor keys for moving the cursor shown on the
display are placed separately from the pointing device for moving
the pointer. More specifically, four cursor keys with which the
cursor shown on the display is moved up, down, left, and right are
arranged at the front of the housing along with other operation
keys and the pointing device with which the pointer shown on the
display is moved in a desired direction is placed at the back of
the housing.
[0009] Although the cursor keys and the pointing device are used
for operating different objects, i.e., the cursor and the pointer,
they also have a function to move the same object. In addition, the
cursor keys and the pointing device are both used frequently and
are often used one after the other. Accordingly, the user must move
a hand between the cursor keys and the pointing device to use the
cursor keys and the pointing device one after the other and there
is a problem in that the operability is poor.
[0010] On the other hand, information processing apparatuses which
can be used as portable devices have recently become popular. In
such an information processing apparatus, the user must move a hand
from the position at which it is grabbing the information
processing apparatus to operate the cursor keys or the pointing
device and the information processing apparatus is particularly
user-unfriendly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In view of the above-described problems, an object of the
present invention is to improve the user-friendliness in the
operation of an information processing apparatus.
[0012] In order to attain this object, an information processing
apparatus according to the present invention includes a display, a
pointing device for moving a pointer appearing on the display in a
desired direction, and a plurality of cursor keys for moving a
cursor appearing on the display in predetermined directions, the
cursor keys being arranged near the pointing device.
[0013] In the information processing apparatus according to the
present invention, the cursor keys and the pointing device can be
operated without moving a hand each time they are used. Thus, the
operability can be improved.
[0014] In particular, in the case in which the information
processing apparatus is used as a portable device, the pointing
device and the cursor keys can be operated while grabbing the
information processing apparatus with both hands. Thus, the
user-friendliness can be improved.
[0015] In the information processing apparatus according to the
present invention, the cursor keys may be arranged along the
periphery of the pointing device such that the pointing device is
at the center of the cursor keys. In such a case, the cursor keys
can be positioned in correspondence with the directions in which
the cursor is moved. Accordingly, misoperation can be prevented and
the operability can be improved.
[0016] In addition, the information processing apparatus according
to the present invention may further include a display unit having
a display housing on which the display is provided, a main unit
provided with a keyboard having a plurality of operation keys, and
a hinge unit which connects the display unit and the main unit such
that the display unit can pivot to open and close the keyboard. The
hinge unit includes a hinge barrel and hinge pins disposed in the
hinge barrel, and the pointing device and the cursor keys are
positioned near one end of the information processing apparatus
along the axis of the hinge pins in an area between the display
unit and the keyboard. Accordingly, in the case in which the
information processing apparatus is used as a portable device, the
pointing device and the cursor keys can be operated with a hand
while grabbing the information processing apparatus with that hand.
Thus, the user-friendliness of the information processing apparatus
when it is used as a portable device can be improved.
[0017] In addition, the information processing apparatus according
to the present invention may further include a confirmation button
for confirming a selected or input item, the confirmation button
being positioned near the pointing device or the cursor keys. In
such a case, the operability and the user-friendliness can be
further improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information processing
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention in
the state in which a display unit is opened;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the information processing
apparatus in the state in which the display unit is closed;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a back view of the information processing
apparatus in the state in which the display unit is closed;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main unit of the information
processing apparatus;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the
manner in which the information processing apparatus is used as a
portable device;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the
manner in which the information processing apparatus is used as a
portable device;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state in which an auxiliary
input software program is activated and an input screen is
displayed;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state in which a software
program for inputting characters is activated and a character-input
screen is displayed;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the state in which a character
input through auxiliary input keys and candidate words are shown on
the input screen after the state shown in FIG. 8;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which a desired
candidate word is selected after the state shown in FIG. 9;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state in which the selected
candidate word is typed onto the character-input screen after the
state shown in FIG. 10;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the state in which a character
input through the auxiliary input keys and candidate words are
shown on the input screen after the state shown in FIG. 11;
[0030] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the selected
candidate word is typed onto the character-input screen after the
state shown in FIG. 12;
[0031] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the state in which a character
input through the auxiliary input keys and candidate words are
shown on the input screen after the state shown in FIG. 13; and
[0032] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the state in which the selected
candidate word is typed onto the character-input screen after the
state shown in FIG. 14.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
embodiment described below, the present invention is applied to an
information processing apparatus (personal computer) which can be
used as a portable device.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, an information processing
apparatus 1 includes a display unit 2 and a main unit 3.
[0035] The display unit 2 includes a display housing 4 and a
display 5 provided on the display housing 4.
[0036] The display housing 4 is constructed by combining a
rectangular, frame-shaped front panel 6 and a rectangular,
shallow-box-shaped rear panel 7 which is open on the side facing
the front panel 6, and is provided with a frame portion 8 on the
periphery thereof.
[0037] The display unit 2 can pivot around a hinge 9 which extends
along the back edge of the main unit 3. When the information
processing apparatus 1 is not used, the display unit 2 is at a
position where the display unit 2 covers a keyboard provided on the
main unit 3, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hinge 9 includes a hinge
barrel 10 and hinge pins 11 disposed in the hinge barrel 10, and
the hinge barrel 10 includes a central portion 12 which projects
from the display housing 4 and which is formed integrally with the
display housing 4 and end portions 13 which project from the back
edge of the main unit 3 and which are formed integrally with the
external housing of the main unit 3.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hinge pins 11 are placed
between the central portion 12 and the end portions 13 of the hinge
barrel 10 so as to connect the central portion 12 and the end
portions 13 to each other.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a keyboard 14 which is long in
the horizontal direction is provided on the top surface 3a of the
main unit 3 in an area excluding the back area. The keyboard 14 has
a plurality of operation keys 15, and the main unit 3 contains a
processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), which performs
processes based on signals input by operating the operation keys 15
on the keyboard 14.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, various kinds of keys are provided as
the operation keys 15.
[0042] More specifically, an escape key for returning to the state
before the last operation and function keys (F1 to F12) for
executing predetermined functions are arranged in the backmost row,
that is, the first row.
[0043] In addition, input keys for inputting predetermined numbers
and characters are arranged in the second to fifth rows from the
back and an enter key for confirming the inputs, etc., is arranged
such that it extends over the third and fourth rows from the
back.
[0044] In addition, control keys and alternate keys which are used
along with other operation keys 15 for executing predetermined
functions, a Windows.TM. key for displaying a start menu of Windows
software, a space bar for inserting a space, etc., are arranged in
the sixth row, that is, the front row. Cursor keys with which a
cursor shown on the display 5 is moved up, down, left, and right
are not provided on the keyboard 14.
[0045] Some of the operation keys 15 which are disposed near the
left end (keys shown by hatching in FIG. 4) serve also as auxiliary
input keys 15a for inputting characters when an auxiliary-input
software program, which will be described below, is activated. When
the auxiliary-input software program is activated, the letter "a"
can be input by pressing the auxiliary input key 15a for "ABC" once
and the letter "b" can be input by pressing the auxiliary input key
15a for "ABC" twice.
[0046] A pointing device 16 is arranged on the top surface 3a of
the main unit 3 at the back right corner thereof. When a force is
applied to the pointing device 16 in a desired direction with a
finger, a pointer shown on the display 5 moves in a direction
corresponding to the direction in which the force is applied.
[0047] In addition, four cursor keys 17 are arranged along the
periphery of the pointing device 16 with constant intervals
therebetween. The cursor shown on the display 5 can be moved up,
down, left and right by operating the cursor keys 17.
[0048] An arc-shaped switching button 18 and a common button 19 for
auxiliary input are disposed along the periphery of the cursor keys
17. The switching button 18 is used for changing the orientation
and resolution of the display screen and the common button 19 is
used for activating a software program (hereinafter called an
"auxiliary-input software program") for inputting characters with a
simple operation. In addition to the function as an activation
button for activating the software program, the common button 19
also has a function as a selection button with which an item is
selected from among items shown on the display 5 when the software
program is activated.
[0049] In the information processing apparatus 1, the display
screen shown on the display 5 can be rotated by 90.degree. or
magnified by operating the switching button 18.
[0050] A left button 20, a right button 21, and a center button 22
which correspond to right, left, and middle buttons, respectively,
of a typical mouse are arranged on the top surface 3a of the main
unit 3 at the back left corner thereof. The left button 20 and the
right button 21 are arc-shaped and are arranged so as to surround
the center button 22. The left button 20 and the right button 21
serve as a first function button and a second function button,
respectively, which are used for controlling an object selected by
the pointer shown on the display 5. The center button 22 serves as
a third function button which enables scrolling of the display
screen shown on the display 5.
[0051] In the information processing apparatus 1, the left button
20 is larger than the right button 21. Generally, the left button
20 is used more frequently than the right button 21 and is designed
to be larger than the right button 21 to improve the
operability.
[0052] A power button 23, a standby button 24, and a
brightness-adjustment button 25 are placed on the left of the
switching button 18 and the common button 19 in the back area of
the top surface 3a of the main unit 3 with intervals therebetween.
The power button 23 is used for turning the power on and the
standby button 24 is used for switching between a power-save
operation mode and a normal operation mode. The
brightness-adjustment button 25 is used for controlling a backlight
of the display 5.
[0053] A speaker 26 is provided on the left of the power button 23
in the back area of the top surface 3a of the main unit 3.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, air inlets 27 are arranged
horizontally in the front side 3b of the main unit 3 at positions
near the left end. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, air outlets 28
are arranged horizontally in the back side 3c of the main unit 3
when the main unit 3 at positions near the left end when viewed
from the back.
[0055] When the information processing apparatus 1 is used,
external air is drawn into the main unit 3 through the air inlets
27 to cool the inside of the main unit 3, and is then exhausted out
through the air outlets 28.
[0056] When the information processing apparatus 1 is used, the
display unit 2 is opened at a suitable angle with respect to the
main unit 3, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. When the display unit 2
is opened at a suitable angle with respect to the main unit 3, the
information processing apparatus 1 can be used as a stationary or
portable device.
[0057] When the information processing apparatus 1 is used as a
portable device, the user may operate the information processing
apparatus 1 while grabbing the main unit 3 with both hands at the
left and right edges thereof, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0058] As described above, in the information processing apparatus
1, the display screen can be rotated by 90.degree. by operating the
switching button 18. Accordingly, when the information processing
apparatus 1 is used as a portable device, the user may also operate
the information processing apparatus 1 in an orientation such that,
for example, the main unit 3 is on the left and the display unit 2
is on the right, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0059] Since the air outlets 28 are formed in the back side 3c of
the main unit 3, the exhaust air can be prevented from being output
toward the hands or fingers of the user and the operability of the
information processing apparatus 1 can be ensured. In addition,
since the air inlets 27 and the air outlets 28 are formed in the
front side 3b and the back side 3c, respectively, of the main unit
3, the air inlets 27 and the air outlets 28 can be prevented from
being covered by the hands of the user when the information
processing apparatus 1 is used as a portable device and sufficient
cooling effect can be obtained. In addition, since the air outlets
28 are not formed in the front side 3b of the main unit 3, the
exhaust air can be prevented from being output toward the user and
the operability of the information processing apparatus 1 can be
ensured.
[0060] Next, main functions of the above-described buttons will be
described.
[0061] As described above, when a force is applied to the pointing
device 16 in a desired direction with a finger, the pointer shown
on the display 5 moves in a direction corresponding to the
direction in which the force is applied. The moving speed of the
pointer can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of force applied to
the pointing device 16. In addition, when the left button 20 is
pressed (clicked) once, a software program or an item in a menu
indicated by the pointer is selected. When the left button 20 is
quickly pressed (clicked) twice, a software program or an item in a
menu indicated by the pointer is activated (executed).
[0062] The cursor shown on the display 5 can be moved up, down,
left, and right by operating the cursor keys 17.
[0063] As described above, the pointing device 16 and the cursor
keys 17 serve important functions in the operation of the
information processing apparatus 1, and are frequently used.
Therefore, the pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17 are often
used one after the other.
[0064] Since the pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17 are
positioned near each other in the information processing apparatus
1, they can be operated without moving a hand each time they are
used. Thus, the operability can be improved.
[0065] In particular, when the information processing apparatus 1
is used as a portable device as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the user
can operate the pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17 while
grabbing the main unit 3 with both hands. Thus, the
user-friendliness can be improved.
[0066] In addition, since the cursor keys 17 are arranged at
positions separated from the keyboard 14, the area of the keyboard
14 can be increased accordingly. Therefore, the size of each
operation key 15 provided on the keyboard 14 can be increased and
the operability of the operation keys 15 can thus be improved.
[0067] In addition, since the cursor keys 17 are arranged along the
periphery of the pointing device 16 such that the pointing device
16 is at the center of the cursor keys 17, the cursor keys 17 can
be positioned in correspondence with the directions in which the
cursor is moved. More specifically, the cursor keys 17 for moving
the cursor up and down are positioned in front of and behind the
pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17 for moving the cursor
left and right are positioned on the left and right of the pointing
device 16.
[0068] Since the cursor keys 17 are positioned in correspondence
with the directions in which the cursor is moved, misoperation can
be prevented and the operability can be improved.
[0069] In addition, in the information processing apparatus 1, the
pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17 are arranged on the top
surface 3a of the main unit 3 at the back right corner thereof.
Therefore, when the information processing apparatus 1 is used as a
portable device, the pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17 can
be operated by the right hand while grabbing the main unit 3 with
the right hand. Thus, the user-friendliness of the information
processing apparatus 1 when it is used as a portable device can be
improved.
[0070] In addition to the switching button 18 and the common button
19 which are arranged at the periphery of the cursor keys 17, the
information processing apparatus 1 may also have a confirmation
button (enter key) 29 at the periphery of the cursor keys 17, as
shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6.
[0071] The confirmation button 29 is frequently used for confirming
and executing an item selected by the pointing device 16 or the
cursor keys 17. Therefore, when the confirmation button 29 is
arranged at the periphery of the cursor keys 17, the operability
and the user-friendliness can be further improved.
[0072] The auxiliary-input software program is activated by
operating the common button 19. The auxiliary-input software
program has a predictive text input function, and shows candidate
words for an input character on the display 5.
[0073] Next, an auxiliary input process using the auxiliary-input
software program will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7
to 15.
[0074] When the common button 19 is pressed, the auxiliary-input
software program is activated and an input screen 30 appears on the
display 5, as shown in FIG. 7. The input screen 30 includes an
input-character display section 30a and a candidate-word display
section 30b.
[0075] Next, a software program such as a word processor used for
inputting text is activated and a cursor 32 is moved to a desired
input position in a text input screen 31 of the activated software
program, as shown in FIG. 8. The cursor 32 is moved by operating
the cursor keys 17 or moving a pointer 33 with the pointing device
16.
[0076] When, for example, "subject of meeting" is to be input, the
auxiliary input key 15a for "PQRS" is pressed four times. When the
auxiliary input key 15a for "PQRS" is pressed four times, the
letter "s" appears in the input-character display section 30a and a
list of candidate words which begin with "s" appears in the
candidate-word display section 30b, as shown in FIG. 9.
[0077] Next, the word "subject" is searched for and selected from
among the candidate words listed in the candidate-word display
section 30b. The word "subject" is searched for by pressing the
down cursor key 17 repeatedly until the word appears in the
candidate-word display section 30b, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0078] When the word "subject" appears in the candidate-word
display section 30b, the common button 19 is pressed while the word
"subject" is selected. Thus, "subject" is confirmed to be input and
is typed into the text input screen 31 of the activated software
program at the position of the cursor 32, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0079] Next, the auxiliary input key 15a for "MNO" is pressed three
times. When the auxiliary input key 15a for "MNO" is pressed three
times, the letter "o" appears in the input-character display
section 30a and a list of candidate words which begin with "o"
appears in the candidate-word display section 30b, as shown in FIG.
12.
[0080] Then, the word "of" is selected and is confirmed to be input
by pressing the common button 19. Accordingly, the word "of" is
typed into the text input screen 31 at the position of the cursor
32, and "subject of" appears in the text input screen 31, as shown
in FIG. 13.
[0081] Next, the auxiliary input key 15a for "MNO" is pressed once,
so that the letter "m" appears in the input-character display
section 30a and a list of candidate words which begin with "m"
appears in the candidate-word display section 30b, as shown in FIG.
14.
[0082] Then, the word "meeting" is searched for and selected from
among the candidate words listed in the candidate-word display
section 30b. The word "meeting" is searched for by pressing the
down cursor key 17 repeatedly until the word appears in the
candidate-word display section 30b, as shown in FIG. 15.
[0083] When the word "meeting" appears in the candidate-word
display section 30b, the common button 19 is pressed while the word
"meeting" is selected. Thus, "meeting" is confirmed to be input and
is typed into the text input screen 31 at the position of the
cursor 32, and "subject of meeting" appears in the text input
screen 31, as shown in FIG. 15.
[0084] In this manner, "subject of meeting" is typed into the text
input screen 31 and the auxiliary input process is finished.
[0085] As described above, the information processing apparatus 1
includes the common button 19 used for activating the
auxiliary-input software program and confirming an item selected by
the cursor keys 17. Thus, different operations regarding the
auxiliary-input software program can be performed with a single
button. Accordingly, the number of buttons can be reduced without
reducing the number of functions and the operability can be
improved.
[0086] In addition, since the cursor keys 17 used for selecting an
item and the common button 19 are placed near each other, the user
can perform different operations regarding the auxiliary-input
software program without moving a hand. Thus, the operability can
be improved.
[0087] In particular, when the information processing apparatus 1
is used as a portable device as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the user
can operate the common button 19 and the cursor keys 17 while
grabbing the main unit 3 with both hands. Thus, the
user-friendliness can be improved.
[0088] In addition, since the pointing device 16 and the common
button 19 used in the auxiliary-input software program are placed
near each other, the operability and the user-friendliness can be
further improved.
[0089] In addition, in the information processing apparatus 1,
since the cursor keys 17 are arranged along the periphery of the
pointing device 16 such that the pointing device 16 is at the
center of the cursor keys 17 and the common button 19 is placed at
the periphery of the cursor keys 17, the space of the main unit 3
is used efficiently. Accordingly, the size of the information
processing apparatus 1 can be reduced.
[0090] A software program or an item in a menu indicated by, for
example, the pointer can be selected by pressing the left button 20
once, and the software program or the item in the menu indicated by
the pointer can be activated (executed) by quickly pressing the
left button 20 twice. The selection of the software program or the
item in the menu achieved by pressing the left button 20 once and
the activation (execution) thereof achieved by pressing the left
button 20 twice can also be achieved by pressing (clicking) the
pointing device 16 once or twice.
[0091] A sub menu (pop-up menu) including various items can also be
displayed at the position of the cursor by pressing the right
button 21. Selection from among the items in the sub menu can be
achieved by operating the pointing device 16 or the cursor keys 17,
and execution of the selected item can be achieved by operating the
left button 20, the pointing device 16, the enter key on the
keyboard 14, or the confirmation button 29.
[0092] In addition, an object, for example, an icon shown on the
display 5 can be moved to an desired position on the display 5 by
placing the pointer on the object and applying a force to the
pointing device 16 in a desired direction while pressing the left
button 20.
[0093] In addition, the display screen can be scrolled in
predetermined directions by applying a force to the pointing device
16 in the predetermined directions while pressing the center button
22. For example, the display screen can be scrolled sideways by
operating the pointing device 16 to the left and right while
pressing the center button 22, and the display screen can be
scrolled up and down by operating the pointing device 16 up and
down while pressing the center button 22.
[0094] In addition, in the information processing apparatus 1, the
display screen can be scrolled up and down continuously after it is
scrolled sideways by operating the pointing device 16 to the left
and right without and then up and down removing the finger from the
pointing device 16 while continuously pressing the center button
22. Similarly, the display screen can be scrolled sideways
continuously after it is scrolled up and down by operating the
pointing device 16 up and down and then to the left and right
without removing the finger from the pointing device 16 while
continuously pressing the center button 22.
[0095] In the above-described case, the display screen is scrolled
by operating the pointing device 16 while pressing the center
button 22. However, the center button 22 may also be constructed
such that the display screen can be scrolled by applying a force to
the center button 22 in a desired direction without using the
pointing device 16.
[0096] In the information processing apparatus 1, the left button
20, the right button 21, and the center button 22 are arranged on
the top surface 3a of the main unit 3 at the back left corner
thereof. Therefore, when the information processing apparatus 1 is
used as a portable device, the left button 20, the right button 21,
and the center button 22 can be operated by the left hand while
grabbing the main unit 3 with the right hand. Thus, the
user-friendliness of the information processing apparatus 1 when it
is used as a portable device can be improved.
[0097] In particular, the left button 20, the right button 21, and
the center button 22 are frequently used and are often used one
after another. Since they are positioned near each other, different
operations can be performed without moving a hand and the
operability can be improved.
[0098] In addition, since the left button 20 and the right button
21 are at the periphery of the center button 22, the space of the
main unit 3 is used efficiently. Accordingly, the size of the
information processing apparatus 1 can be reduced.
[0099] In addition, the pointing device 16 and the cursor keys 17,
which are used frequently, are positioned near the right end of the
main unit 3 and the left button 20, the right button 21, and the
center button 22 are positioned near the left end of the main unit
3. Therefore, when the information processing apparatus 1 is used
as a portable device, the left button 20, the right button 21, and
the display unit 2 can be operated by the left hand while grabbing
the main unit 3 with the left hand and the pointing device 16 and
the cursor keys 17 can be operated by the right hand while grabbing
the main unit 3 the right hand, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the
user-friendliness can be improved.
[0100] In the above-described case, the center button 22 is used
for scrolling the display screen. However, the center button 22 may
also be set so as to serve functions similar to those of the left
button 20 and the right button 21.
[0101] In addition, the center button 22 may also be set such that
the cursor can be moved one page back or forward by operating the
cursor keys 17 while pressing the center button 22.
[0102] In addition, in the above-described case, the pointing
device 16, the cursor keys 17, the switching button 18, the common
button 19, and the confirmation button 29 are placed near the right
end of the main unit 3 and the left button 20, the right button 21,
and the center button 22 are placed near the left end of the main
unit 3. However, the arrangement may also be such that the left
button 20, the right button 21, and the center button 22 are placed
near the right end of the main unit 3 and the pointing device 16,
the cursor keys 17, the switching button 18, the common button 19,
and the confirmation button 29 are placed near the left end of the
main unit 3.
[0103] In the above-described embodiment, the shape and
construction of each component are described merely for
illustrating an example in which the present invention is applied,
and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiment.
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